Hi coolmama, I find it VERY strange that your dentist saw cavities 5 years ago and didn't fix them! Are you sure he wasn't just talking about areas that were looking like they could develop cavities? If you had cavities 5 years ago and he didn't fill them, then you need a new dentist! Anyhow......about the root canals........Sometimes, if a tooth is ground down too deeply, whether for a filling or a crown, it can cause the root to die. When the root dies, it can become very inflammed and infected. When this happens, besides hurting alot, you can lose the tooth. What a root canal does is to go in below the tooth, into the root space (some teeth have 2 roots and some have 4), and ream all the root out. Then they fill this space with a rubber substance. Somehow, your tooth can now stay alive. Just because you need to have fillings, doesn't mean you'll necessarily have to have a root canal. Whether or not you'll need root canals depends on how deep it is, and whether it somehow affects the nerve that is there. I don't think you can even assess that yet. I would just get the fillings, and then down the road, if your tooth starts becoming really sensitive, and starts hurting alot, then you can decide to have the root canal. I had a ton of huge fillings. After they started falling apart, then I need the crowns. On a couple of those crowns, I eventually needed root canals. But its my opinion that you do one step at a time. I hope I haven't confused you. And be sure to have a good endodontist do your root canals.

Mush, I'm sure I was told not to wait longer than a year to get a crown on, that the temp they do wasn't meant to last forever. On the other hand, I'd wanted crowns on my 4 front uppers (cosmetic) and my dentist convinced me to try veneers first since they do less initial damage to teeth than putting a crown on does. At the time they told me veneers could last up to 10 years, depending on the types of foods you subject your teeth to...mine have been on for 19, with no problems. The dentist is very impressed! As for a root canal, I had one done on a molar that had given me on again, off again grief for years. Do not relish getting that done again. Yet periodically the area will give me pain, usually after I've chewed something REALLY chewing, or this past session over Christmas was brought on by eating almonds (I think). I still worry that I'll be in that 1% that have a tooth that fails, and then I don't know what I'll do, since I need that tooth there!

I have been tempted to have a problem back tooth pulled, but I keep getting lectured about the problems this could cause. If it is a top tooth you can get into the whole sinus thing. Since I have been suffering dearly with sinus pain lately I would have to agree with any reasoning for not pulling one of the top teeth. I ended up searching for the first thread you wrote when this whole root canal business started. Wow, you have been through the ringer on this one! I can so symphatize with the pain you went through during the process. I had one tooth that would not get numb and the endodontist had to drill to the nerve to inject the novicane into the tooth. I have never felt pain like that in my life. I can't imagine having to deal with the reaction to the pain meds after going through all that pain. I'm sure the next time you need a root canal you will be tempted to just have the tooth pulled. I wouldn't blame you if you do, but just know not all root canals are this bad. I have had five and I'm looking at #6 in the near future. Only one was horrible. One took a while to calm down and the rest were a breeze. Hang in there it does get better. Foxy.

Talia -- I'm so glad you decided against the firm! I didn't want to offer an opinion before as I have no experience with a kitchen reno in your budget. Mine was a relatively modest $20k - no structural work but I replaced every single thing. The one thing we do have in common though is that I didn't have time to manage my project either -- but I didn't have a choice, having a "more than full time" job/career. Yet when I fantasized about having a GC, I realized, "who am I kidding? I'm gonna be all over this no matter who is in charge! It's my home!" I did luck out though, finding the best licensed, insured, experienced carpenter, contractor -- George -- I could have found through asking around a LOT. Amazing, really. As the "GC" I hired the electrician, plumber and floor tile guy, (all referrals) but not without consulting George, my carpenter first who had a ton of experience and knowledge of other trades who checked their costs first for me, helped me tweak and negotiate, etc. George helped me with my lighting plan, a rather extensive one, for me and then he came here with me and "supervised" to make sure it was done right and according to plan. When I couldn't get out of a work meeting and get home for my granite install, George jumped in and then fielded a major problem with the island -- cut wrong size -- fabricator error. He called the fab and quickly resolved the problem and a new island top was put in the following week. And George? He removed and demo'd old cabs, installed the new ones and moldings and trim, cleared all trash and did cleanup, made me a second pantry with new door and shelves, put in new sink and faucet, new range and micro, new dishwasher and fridge, moved a misplaced chandelier (my fault) and patched/painted ceiling hole, kicked out the sloppy painter and found me a new one, patched kitchen floor after I decided to move a radiator a month after floor had been done, added new saddles... and I'm sure I missed a few things... which came to about $2,500. I gave him an additional $500.00 which he finally did take... not just for his extra supervision of others (that he throughly enjoyed doing and did so well with a very gentle touch) and jumping over here when I needed him and answering my 1,000+ questions about everything, but for caring about this job as if it were his own home. (I also gave him a like-new circular saw that I used only once some months ago and have been too scared to use again.) I also gave him 2 referrals that have turned into good jobs for him. Really, I feel like I owe him so much more! I think there are some real GEMS out there at reasonable cost that just need to be found. Of course with your budget and plans, you need more than a lone super-dedicated carpenter, but I'm hoping you'll find a firm or KD or GC or all three that will be your "George!" Note to Lovestocook -- I found 2 great Mauviel pieces at Home Goods! More great gems at...